Metropolitan area employment and unemployment, October 2011
December 08, 2011
Unemployment rates were lower in October than a year earlier in 281 of the 372 metropolitan areas, higher in 76 areas, and unchanged in 15 areas. Eight areas recorded jobless rates of at least 15.0 percent, while 21 areas registered rates of less than 5.0 percent.
The largest over-the-year unemployment rate decrease in October was registered in Muskegon-Norton Shores, Michigan (−2.6 percentage points), followed by El Centro, California; Farmington, New Mexico; and Flint, Michigan (−2.5 points each). Kennewick-Pasco-Richland, Washington, reported the largest over-the-year jobless rate increase (+1.7 percentage points), followed by Yakima, Washington (+1.3 points); Pascagoula, Mississippi (+1.3 points); and Jacksonville, North Carolina (+1.2 points).
From October 2010 to October 2011, 233 metropolitan areas reported over-the-year increases in nonfarm payroll employment, 133 reported decreases, and 6 had no change.
The largest over-the-year percentage gain in employment was reported in Kankakee-Bradley, Illinois (+6.5 percent), followed by Hot Springs, Arkansas (+6.2 percent), and Victoria, Texas (+5.5 percent). The largest over-the-year percentage decreases in employment were reported in Missoula, Montana (−5.4 percent), Abilene, Texas (−5.2 percent), and Dalton, Georgia (−4.7 percent).
These data are from the Current Employment Statistics (State and Metro Area) and Local Area Unemployment Statistics programs. The most recent month's employment data are preliminary and subject to revision. To learn more, see "Metropolitan Area Employment and Unemployment — October 2011" (HTML) (PDF), news release USDL-11-1717.
SUGGESTED CITATION
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, The Economics Daily, Metropolitan area employment and unemployment, October 2011 on the Internet at https://www.bls.gov/opub/ted/2011/ted_20111208.htm (visited December 11, 2019).
OF INTEREST
Recent editions of Spotlight on Statistics
- A look at employment and wages in U.S. establishments with foreign ownership
Examines employment and wages in U.S. establishments that have at least one foreign owner with at least 10 percent ownership. - 25 years of Worker Injury, Illness, and Fatality Case Data
Examines detailed historical data on work-related injuries, illnesses, and fatal injuries. - Occupational employment projections through the perspective of education and training
Examines employment, projected employment growth, and wages for occupations with different education and training requirements. - Workers in Alternative Employment Arrangements
A look at independent contractors, on-call workers, temporary help agency workers, and workers provided by contract firms.
